Instantly accessible driving pleasure and modern versatility mark out the character of the new BMW X1. With its more prominent design, commitment to electrification and progressive connectivity, the X1 leads the successful vehicle concept of a Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) for the premium compact segment into a future shaped by sustainability and digitalisation. When the original BMW X1 was launched in 2009, it opened up a new vehicle category in the premium segment. Since then, the compact SAV has served as an attractive entry model into the world of BMW X. With its robust character profile and functional versatility, the BMW X1 embodies an authentic experience of freedom and independence in day-to-day driving and on longer journeys. Its strong popularity is reflected in the total of around 1.9 million units sold so far in markets around the world. Significantly expanded standard specification, increased spaciousness and a premium ambience for the interior, the new control/operation system with BMW Operating System 8 and the BMW Curved Display, and a large selection of systems for automated driving and parking underscore the standout status of the new BMW X1 against its rivals.
Moving inside, the new BMW X1 has five full-size seats and its loadcarrying capacity can be utilised in a wide variety of ways. The driver and front passenger benefit in particular from the noticeable increase in shoulder and elbow room. The rear seat backrests can fold down in a 40 : 20 : 40 split as standard, and their angle can also be adjusted as an option to further increase seating comfort. Added to which, the purely combustion-engined models can be specified as an option with a rear seat bench that slides fore and aft, allowing either legroom for the rear seats or the amount of boot space to be increased. With all the seats in use, the new BMW X1 has a load capacity of 540 litres, 35 litres more than its predecessor. This can be expanded to a maximum 1,600 litres (+50 litres). The new BMW X1 has grown in its exterior dimensions compared to its predecessor – by 53 millimetres in length to 4,500 millimetres, 24 millimetres in width to 1,845 millimetres and 44 millimetres in height to 1,642 millimetres, giving it powerful proportions. The new car has a wheelbase of 2,692 millimetres, 22 millimetres longer than that of its predecessor. Track widths have increased by 31 millimetres to 1,592 millimetres at the front axle and 1,593 millimetres at the rear axle, which enhances the handling composure and agility of the new BMW X1.
All new BMW X1 models will be built at BMW Group Plant Regensburg, which also hosted production of the outgoing model generation – plug-in hybrid variant included. Models with combustion engines, plug-in hybrid systems and all-electric drive will now roll off a single assembly line here. This ensures the plant will be able to respond flexibly to changes in customer demand as and when they occur. The high-voltage batteries for the BMW iX1 xDrive30 will likewise be produced at Regensburg. Preparations for the new model generation at BMW Group Plant Regensburg included putting in place new conveyor and assembly systems for the high-voltage batteries. In addition, internal logistics have been optimised using state-of-the-art digitalisation. In the bodyshop at Regensburg, the new model has been integrated into the manufacturing process during ongoing series production. And the plant’s paintshop uses the Integrated Painting Process (IPP), which increases the efficiency of the coating application process for the body at the same time as reducing energy consumption. The high-voltage batteries fitted in the plug-in hybrid models and all other elements of fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology will be manufactured at BMW Group Plant Dingolfing, the company’s centre of excellence for the production of e-drive components.
The weight-optimised construction of the body and the chassis components helps to give the new BMW X1 its agility and efficiency. An intelligent mix of materials succeeds in minimising vehicle weight while also enhancing the body’s rigidity and crash safety. The hot-stamped steels and aluminium alloys used for the safety passenger cell are supplemented by multi-phase steels for extra reinforcement. In the front end of the BMW iX1 and plug-in hybrid models, an additional shear panel and a stiff connection with the high-voltage battery’s housing, which is designed as a load-bearing component, increase body rigidity. In addition, the all-electric model has a special driving dynamics strut, which connects the individual spring strut towers with one another. The increase in torsional rigidity achieved in this way enhances directional stability and sharpens turn-in response through corners. Making the bonnet from aluminium cuts weight at the front end of the car, which gives handling agility another boost. Meanwhile, lightweight plastic supports for the front and rear doors bring further weight savings.
The changing of the guard between the outgoing generation of the BMW X1 and the new model brings advances for the interior including extra space for those on board and their luggage, enhanced practicality and, most prominently, a fundamental upgrade of the display and control/operation system. The new BMW iDrive vehicle experience based on BMW Operating System 8 represents a reimagining of the drivercentred cockpit design to focus on touch and voice control – via the BMW Curved Display and the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant. The broadbased implementation of digitalisation enables the number of physical buttons, controls and switches required for intuitive operation to be significantly reduced. At the same time, the innovative style of the interior design brings a progressive flavour to the modern premium ambience, in which high-quality materials and precision workmanship also play a defining role. A much broader selection of standard equipment than was offered by its predecessor and sophisticated options, some of which were only previously available in higher vehicle segments, also shine a spotlight on the thoroughly developed character of the new BMW X1.
The new BMW X1 offers a full spectrum of drive systems underpinned by cutting-edge power unit technology and a firm commitment to electrification. The petrol and diesel engines are all members of the BMW Group’s new modular generation of Efficient Dynamics engines, with the latest (second-generation) 48V mild hybrid technology ensuring highly responsive power delivery and increased efficiency. Meanwhile, locally emission-free driving pleasure is provided by the fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology fitted in both the all-electric BMW iX1 and the plug-in hybrid variants of the compact Sports Activity Vehicle. The new BMW X1 will be launched with a choice of two petrol and two diesel engines featuring BMW TwinPower Turbo technology, whose drive power will be relayed via a seven-speed Steptronic transmission with double clutch as standard. From there it will be channelled to the road via either the front wheels or the BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheeldrive system that comes as standard on the most powerful petrol and diesel models.
An all-electric variant will be added to the new BMW X1 line-up immediately after launch. The BMW iX1 xDrive30 is the first all-wheeldrive electric car introduced by the brand in the premium compact segment. It represents the latest instalment in the BMW Group’s ongoing all-electric model offensive and brings the appeal of locally emission-free driving pleasure to a wide target audience. The BMW iX1 xDrive30 is powered by one electric motor at the front axle and another at the rear, each sitting together with the accompanying power electronics and transmission within a single, very compact housing. These highly integrated drive units deliver a combined output of 230 kW/313 hp (including temporary boost) and post overall torque of 494 Nm (364 lb-ft). The power-to-weight ratio of both the eDrive 5.0 M170SF drive unit at the front axe and the eDrive 5.0 M170SR drive unit at the rear is 1.5 kW/kg. This creates an electric all-wheel-drive system in which the precisely orchestrated interaction between the two motors produces alluringly instantaneous acceleration combined with supreme traction and directional stability.
The BMW iX1 xDrive30 reaches the 100 km/h (62 mph) mark from rest in 5.7 seconds, on the way to a top speed of 180 km/h (112 mph). The fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology also comprises the car’s charging technology and the high-voltage battery positioned flat within the vehicle’s underbody, which provides 64.7 kWh of usable energy. The battery’s high energy density of 152 Wh/kg in relation to its weight or 199 Wh/l in relation to its volume, and the drive system’s excellent efficiency, with combined electric power consumption in the WLTP cycle of 18.4 – 17.3 kWh per 100 kilometres, form the basis for a range of 413 – 438 kilometres (257 – 272 miles). The Combined Charging Unit in the BMW iX1 xDrive30 enables singleand three-phase AC charging at a rate of up to 11 kW, which can be optionally increased to up to 22 kW (three-phase AC). This allows the high-voltage battery to be fully recharged from empty in 6.5 hours as standard and in just 3 hours 45 minutes as an option. DC power can be taken on board at a rate of up to 130 kW, making it possible to boost the high-voltage battery’s energy reserves from 10 to 80 per cent of total capacity in the space of 29 minutes. Within this charge level range, enough energy can be sourced from a high-power-charging point in just ten minutes to increase range by 120 kilometres / 75 miles.
